The Taliban would be well advised to be kind to their canine prisoner of war. While the fraction of U.S. families with loved ones in the active military in harm’s way is woefully small, as of 2012, the Humane Society estimated that 47 percent of U.S. households include at least one dog.

I did not use the term “own” because we dedicated dog lovers consider these incredible creatures to be members of the family. Differing cultural viewpoints concerning dogs notwithstanding, any gratuitous cruelty visited upon the prisoner dog will likely reawaken and renew the deep public loathing of the Taliban.